[Vic Noseworthy]

Hey, Man! Awesome advice, and it gives me hope! I’ve never used compressor (in my life! Never even thought of it, but it did come with my FCS3!) I’m thinking it will help a lot, ’cause a long time ago I’d read about how it improves quality!
I will definitely give this a try! Can’t wait to see the results!
Thanks so very much!
Vic

[Vic Noseworthy]

Thanks, again, David. I hadn’t heard of the Ki Pro, but just looked it up. Awesome, man! Sounds like you’ve got the gear! I’m gradually getting there, but am relatively new to HD video. Love it, though!
Perhaps you could answer one more question:
When I used to use AIC, my editing went smoothly, consistently. Now that I’m using ProRes, I occasionally get the message, ” …some frames were dropped…” I’m not sure what that means, or why I’m getting that message. I have heard that a computer doesn’t have to work as hard with ProRes compared to AIC, so I’d have thought dropped frames would be even less likely.
Any idea why I’m getting this message?
Thank you again.
Vic

[Vic Noseworthy]

Hey, David.
Thanks so very much for your help! I’m blown away that ProRes422 ingests footage at 147Mbs (which, as you indicate, equates to about 17MBs). I had no idea ProRes was so much higher in data rate than the Apple Intermediate Codec that I’d been used to. That’s an astounding difference!
Many times I have inquired about the difference between AIC and ProRes, and nobody ever indicated such a vast difference in bit rate processing. I was told that I would not see any difference in quality (between the two codecs) because my camera (the Canon Vixia HF M400, which was the only one I had at the time) had such a low bit rate. However, I do a lot of compositing, so I was interested in maintaining as much quality as possible.
And, yes, I surely did notice the difference in file sizes.
So, why does ProRes have such a high bit rate when most broadcast quality cameras are really only shooting at about 50Mbs? (at least, that’s my understanding). Is it because ProRes utilizes the much higher bit rate so as to maintain quality during editing/compositing?
Thanks again!
Vic

[Vic Noseworthy]

Hi guys, and thanks for your responses.
I just switched from FCE4 to FCP7 and don’t know how to set up a new project for the equipment I’m using. I shot all of the video on a small camcorder (specifically, a Canon Vixia HF M400). I’ve set up the FCP7 project to use this codec: Apple ProRes 422 LT
The reason I didn’t just go with Apple Intermediate Codec is because I do a lot of compositing and I want to maintain as much quality as possible. Is there another codec you’d suggest for use with footage from the aforementioned camera?
Again, thanks so much for your help.
Vic

[Vic Noseworthy]

Hi Rafael,
Thanks for your input. I actually am using ProResLT, but for some reason, the clips are 17mbps (at least, that’s what it says when I right-click and look at the info provided). Any idea why this might happen? Or, anything I could try?
Thanks again,
Vic

[Vic Noseworthy]

Hey, Nick.
Again, thanks for your help! I haven’t had time to try out your suggestions yet; I have been editing like crazy (real estate and weddings), and I am currently preparing for another wedding shoot tomorrow (and it’s now 2:48 a.m.!!!). I will report back when I have had time to try your advice.
In the meantime…
As I mentioned, I am shooting with, among other things, a Canon HF M40 camera. I am shooting in MXP mode, which is apparently at 24 mbs. Yet, when I log and transferred the footage into FCP7, and click on the properties of the clip(s), the info provided indicates it is 17 mbs (which, on this camera, is FXP mode). Any idea why this is happening?
Thanks again!
Vic

[Vic Noseworthy]

Hey, Nick.
My gut tells me that you may have hit on the cause the problem I’ve been having. I’m so new to FCP7, I really am just learning how to set up my projects. FCE4 was simpler in that everything was a single codec (i.e. AIC); now I am having to select my sequence settings, etc., so it’s a little more challenging.
Here’s what I have been doing since I started using FCP7:
1.) I log and transfer my footage (mostly from pro-sumer cameras; the footage is AVCHD from Canon HF M40 cameras, plus some footage from a Canon T3i);
2.) I have selected ProRes LT as the codec of choice (as mentioned, I do a lot of compositing, so I am thinking the ProResLT will hold up better than AIC).
Here’s one thing that I have noticed as I start working on a project:
When I drag a clip onto the timeline, I do get a message telling me the sequence settings don’t match the clip settings; I tell the program to match the sequence to the clip. From there, all works well.
However, it makes sense that this may be the source of my problem when I subsequently nest the sequences.
(FYI: When I drag a sequence onto a new sequence, i.e. when I ‘nest’ a sequence, I don’t get the “sequence settings don’t match the clip settings” message. That only happens when I drag a simple clip onto a sequence.)
I hope this explanation is clear.
As I have said, I really am new to FCP7, so I sincerely appreciate your help/advice. If you need to know more about my settings, I would be glad to provide whatever info I can.
Thanks so much for your kind assistance.
Vic

[Vic Noseworthy]

Yes, that’s clear. Thank you, Dave. Much appreciated!
Vic

[Vic Noseworthy]

Hey, Dave. Thanks for your response.
When you say:
“I stick with making a duplicate timeline and cutting it down.”
what exactly do you mean? Do you mean you simply ‘Select All’ and copy the entire sequence, then paste it into a ‘master’ sequence (and, then, do this with every sequence)?
Thanks,
Vic

[Vic Noseworthy]

Hey, Tom. When you nest your sequences, do you have to re-render the sequence within the sequence? That’s the problems I’m having. And, the re-rendering can take significant time. And, it’s weird because the original sequence has been rendered and plays fine. Then, when I drag that sequence onto a new sequence, it requires re-rendering. Not so with you???
Thanks,
Vic